AFD

27th June was Glasgow's AFD. We had a stall in George Square which was manned by S/m Joan Lowe, Anne McKinnon, Brian Mackenzie and Kenn McKinnon. We held a tombola as well as having other gizzits for the public. The parade stepped of from Holland Street at 12:00 and was in the square for 12:30 where the lord provost gave as short talk. At 14:00 the city chambers were opened for a civic reception for the veterans and serving personnel. 13 of our members marched in the parade and thank you to S/m Brian Mackenzie for taking the standard.

BBQ

Our BBQ was held at the cadet unit TS Queen Elizabeth in Clydebank. This was attended by 14 members and 7 guests. Entertainment was provided by the S/ms singing and telling jokes, and a raffle was held. The food was plentiful and excellent. A big thank you to our chef Brian Mackenzie and his better half Irene. All had a good time.

Ships Visit

Nine of our members accepted the kind invitation from HMS Sutherland to come on board for a tour of the ship. We were hosted by EWO Tim Cox who arranged for our members to tour the ship. After the tour we were invited to the W.Os mess for a few refreshments and to swing the lantern and tell a few ditties. Chairman Kenn presented the mess president with a bottle of Pusser's Rum and a plaque for their mess and in return was presented with a plaque from the ship. Many thanks to the crew of HMS Sutherland for a good day.

VE Day Knightswood

Four of our members attended the VE Day memorial Service at St Margaret's Parish Church, Knightswood to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The service was conducted by the Reverend Sandy Fraser. After the service there was a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial cross and the a march down Great Western Road to the Lincoln Inn where a finger buffet and entertainment was laid on by our hosts The Central Scotland Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association (Glasgow).

Standard Dedication

On Friday 17th S/ms Kenn McKinnon (Chair), Brian MacKenzie (Sec), Anne McKinnon and Anne Cox (Comm) attended the Service of Dedication of the Grangemouth Branch Standard of The Submarine Association. The service was held in the RBLS Club where the Rev Pat Lang conducted the ceremony and well attended by members from other branches throughout Scotland. The branch chairman thanked those who attended and their Standard Bearers and invited the company to partake of a few rums to celebrate the dedication of their Standard.

Fish Boat Night

On Friday 27th February nine of our members and 4 guests attended a small social evening at McMonagle's Fish Boat in Clydebank's shopping centre. The evening went well with a very good meal and a good bit of banter. A big thank you to all who attended.

Yorkhill Visit

On Tuesday 16th S/ms Kenn McKinnon (Chairman) Joan Lowe (Vice Chair) Anne McKinnon and Tomas Gates delivered a selection of toys, books, games and DVDs to the Play Group at Yorkhill Children's Hospital. Our Chairman handed over a cheque to the play group from our branch.

NFA Xmas Luncheon

On Monday 15th eight of our members were invited to attend the Not Forgotten Association's Xmas Luncheon in the Radisson Blue Hotel in Edinburgh. We were greeted with a glass of bubbly before sitting down to a three course festive lunch. The entertainment was provided by the Swingtime Sweethearts. There was a game of Heads and Tails which our S/m Anne Cox won a Christmas Cake. There was a raffle in which S/m Frank Halliday won a bottle of red wine. After the entertainment was finished we said our thanks to Rosie our hostess and departed.

Remembrance Sunday

On the 9th we were in George Square for the Remembrance Day Parade. We had a turn out of 12 members. S/m Chris lord was our standard bearer for this event, and S/m Kenn McKinnon laid the wreath with S/m Nat Millar laying one on behalf of the Jewish service men who fell in the war. We retired to the City Chambers for a buffet and refreshments. We were invited to HMS Dalriada after the parade where a meal was laid on with plenty of refreshments and a good bit of crack at the bar.

Seafarer's Service

The Seafarer's Service was held in Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday the 19th October. The inspecting officer was Captain Chris Smith the Naval Regional Commanderr for Scotland and Northern Ireland. The service was conducted by the Revd, Dr Laurence Whitley and the sermon was given by Rev Paula Pye,RN (Chaplain, HMNB Clyde). The service was attended by 7 of our members.